Skein support for swifts



I Dec. 23, 1941. M. w. BECKER SKEIN SUPPORT FOR SWIxFTS Filed Jan. i6, 1941y ,.a l l Patented Dec. 23, 1941 `UNITE-D STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE 'sKEIN'sUrroRT FoR Ysvvl'r'rs y V"Morris W Becker, New York, NYY. Application Janu'afyrrs, 1941, sea1N0..374,625

A l6 Claims.

The present invention lrelates `to supports on which a skein of yarn is `mounted onto a swift, and more particularly to a skein support vfor a swift of the type comprising a hub having two spaced series of radially extending spokes or arms, set opposite in pairs; `each such pair being bridged by a skein support.

Heretofore, ordinarily, each vpair of spokes was spanned by a cord having its ends wound about or otherwise tied to the respective spokes and were manually slidable therealong to make adjustment for the perimeter of the skein. Much trouble however is met in the luse of such cords or bands, because of their slipping along the spokes. Also, tautness of the skein is not maintained during its unwinding from the swift and the strands of the skein do not remain spread across the cord, but become bunched and entangled. v

An object of this invention therefore, is to provide a skein support of novel and improved construction for use on swifts of the type mentioned, which will overcome the specific faults set forth aswell as other disadvantages heretofore existing, and in which provision is particularly made Vfor securely positioning the skein Asupport anywhere along a `pair of spokes whereby Another object is to provide a skein support of novel and improved construction Vof the class set forth, which will automatically `maintain the skein in taut condition during the unwinding operation.

Still another object hereof is to provide an article of the type described which is cheap to manufacture, easy to use, eicientin carrying out the purposes for which it is designed and which is adapted for use on swifts now-extensively in use.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this application, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in Vall the views.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a swift Vprovided with skein supports embodying the teachings of this invention.

Fig. 2is 4a perspective view of a type of skein support'concerned with herein.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an element employed to adjustably secure an end of the skein support along a spoke of the swift.

Fig. 4 is a similar `view showing the -arms of said element brought towards each other'in order to release the hold of said element on the spoke.

Fig. 5 is a section taken at line 5-5 in Fig. 2, showing the mode of attachment of said element to the end of the member intended to span `a pair of spokes of the swift.

Fig, 6 is a development view of the components used in an embodiment of saidspanning member.

Fig. '7 isa bottom view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8, is a section` taken at line 8-8 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a modified embodiment of the =present invention, shown in perspective.

Fig. 10 is a section taken at line Ill-Ill in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is another modified form of this invention, shown in perspective.

In the drawing, the numeral I5 -indicates generally a swift or reel comprised of a hub I6, having/two'spaced series of spokes or arms I1 and I8, extending substantially opposite one another radially therefrom. Each pair of spokes I1 and I8 are -bridged by a skein support designated generally by the numeral I9; theends of such skein supports being moveable along the respective spokes in order Vto adjust the effective perim eter of the swift to receive various sized skeins thereon over said skeinsupports I9.

In a preferredembodiment, skein support I9, may Ycomprise an elongated 4member `2 0, at Neach end of which is a'spoke engaging V,means as for instance the V-shaped element 2|, made of ref silient material as spring .steel strip, each of the arms 2| of which is provided with a hole 22,01:

other aperture, adapted to receive a spoke therethrough. The dimensions and Aposition, of said holes 22 shall vbe such that the spoke will be free to move through the arms fof Vsaid ele'- ment 2I, when said arms are manually pressed towards each other as in Fig. 4,'lbut upon release of said arms 2|', the spokek I1 is tightly engaged by said element. The manner of adjustment Tof position of said elements along the spokes vis evident, and once set, will not slipV therealo'ng of their own accord. .The spokes I'I and -I8 may be graduated as shown in Fig. 2, for convenience to enable all of the skein'supports I9, toibejset an equal distance radially from the-hub fiffor a balanced structure.l

One vmanner of Vjoining the end velements l2|V y to the spoke spanning member 20, visbyrneans of a wire 23, passed first withinthe vertex of T21, then bent into each end ofthev loop'24, then out throughiholes 25 and26'into the-space between thel arms 2l', and nallythe ends ofl said wire 23 are bent over within the vertex of the ele- The end portions 21" and the flaps 21 and 21" claims rather than to the particular constructions herein illustrated to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

l. In combination, a swift having a hub and a pair of spaced opposite spokes extending radially therefrom, and a skein support comprising an 1 elongated member and means for securing the are folded over the central portion of blank 2l, I

to inbed a rigid element 29 within the resulting article, and are cemented to each other to main"- tain the assembly and to form the end loops 24.

Another embodiment of the teachings of thisV n invention may be a moulded rubber member having bifurcated ends, the arms of which form the V-shaped attaching means all integral with the spanning member within which latter, is embedded the stiff element 29. In this instance the arms 30 make a one piece structure with the elongated spanning member 3|. The term inbedded in this specification shall also stand for partial inbedment.

It is also practical to practice this invention, as for instance shown in Fig. 11, where an endless rubber band 32, surrounding and secured to a stiff element 33 of shorter length, is provided with connecting elements at its ends, as for instance those shown in Fig. 3. Of course other suitable attachment means may be provided whereby the skein support can be mounted onto a pairof spokes of the swift I5. The edge of the band 32 may be flush with the surface of the element 33, so that the strands of the skein when mounted on the swift, would lie directly on' the Aband edge on which said stands would be nonskid.

In operation, all of the skein supports are mounted along the spokes of the swift I5 as shown in Fig. l, substantially at equal distances from the hub I6, so that the effective perimeter of the swift so set up,V shallk exceedthe actual perimeter of the skein (not shown) which is to be mounted for unwinding. Due to the elastic connections between the rigid element 29 and the spokes I'I and I8, a trapezoidal or flat-bottomed trough will result as indicated by position 34,k for the skein strands; the altitude `of the trough automatically diminishing as the skein isbeing unwound. It is evident that the skeins tautness will be automatically maintained during the winding operation. Because of the non-skidding property of the skein holder, the strands in contact with the elastic material along the stiff member 29, will maintain their initial spread condition whereby the strands will not bunch or tangle. i

It is advisable to mount eyelets 35 through each of the holes 22 to avoid scraping the spokes I'I or I8, and facilitate easy sliding .of the skein support. Such inclusion of Veyelets is shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, but may also be used in the modified constructions. Also, the wire connections at 23, may be covered or encircled by a rubber elment indicated by the numeral 35, to avoid any entanglement of the skein at such regions. Y

. This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein set forth. It is therefore desired and intended `that the specific embodiments herein described shall be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein disclosed; reference, being had. to the following member.

ends of said member to the spokes respectively;

`the central portion of said member being rigid `and the vends'thereof being elastic.

2. In combination, a swift having a hub and a lpair of spaced opposite spokes extending radially therefrom, and a skein support comprising an elastic elongated member, a rigid element mounted onto and extending intermediate and spaced from the ends of said member and means for securing the ends of said member onto therespective spokes. i

3. In combination, a swift having a huband a pair of spaced opposite spokes extending radially therefrom, and a skein supportcomprising an elongated member and mean for securing the ends of said member to the spokes respectively; said member having two kspaced elastic portions and a rigid portion intermediate said elastic portions.

4. A skein support for a swift having a hub and a pair of spaced opposite spokes extending radially therefrom, comprisingl an elastic elongated member having bifurcated ends integral therewith; each of the arms at one end of said Vmember having an aperture therethrough to receive one of the spokes therethrough, and each of the arms at the other end of said member having an aperture to receive the other of the spokes therethrough, whereby upon bringing the related arms towards each other, said member at its respective ends, is freely slidable along the respective spokes, and upon releasing said arms, the ends'of said member become secured to said spokes respectively, and a rigid element vinibedded within the central portion of said elongated member and spacedv from the ends of said spective spokes, and vupon releasing said arms,

said elements become secured to saidspokes respectively, and an elongated member connected to said elements, adapted to receive a skein thereon; the central portion Yof said member between the V-shaped'elements, being rigid and the fend portions of said member being elastic.

6. A skeinsuppoit as defined in claim'Z, characterized in thattheends ofthe elongated member'are fashioned -into loopsivand the Vsaid V- shaped elements are provided`- with holes including wire connectorspassedfbetween the arms of an element respectively, and bent around into the loops and out through the holes respectively, and then bent over betweenthe `arms of the respective V-shaped elements.

f `.MORRIS w. BECKER. 

